Remote control apparatus for radio receiving sets



April 30, 1935. H. Y, HENNING REMOTE CONTROL APPARATUS FOR RADIO RECEIVING SETS Filed y 16, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 60m W UL jiforrzgy April 30, 1935. H, Y, HENNING 1,999,609

REMOTE CONTROL APPARATUS FOR RADIO RECEIVING SETS Filed July 16 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 1935- H, Y. HENNING 11,999,609

REMOTE CONTROL APPARATUS FOR RADIO RECEIVING SETS Filed July 16, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 162 Z 61 //f WWW 1,;

Patented Apr. 30, 1935- PATENT OFFICE REMOTE CONTROL APPARATUS FOR RADIO RECEIVING SETS Henry Y. Henning, Kenmore, N. Y.

Application July 16, 1930, Serial No. 468,408

9 Claims.

This invention relates generally to a remote control apparatus but more particularly to an apparatus for controlling radio'receiving sets from a-distance.

One of its objects is to provide a remote control apparatus of this character having simple, reliable and effective means for operating the control devices of the receiving set, such as the tuning dial and the volume control, such means being so designed and constructed as to have the same control as if one were tuning the radio set directly by its customary control knobs.

Another object of the invention is the provision of electrically controlled means for operating the control dials of the set which is so constructed and arranged as to instantly start and stop said dials to afford accurate tuning, and which is easily and conveniently manipulated.

A still further object is to provide a remote control apparatus for radio receiving sets which is simple, compact and inexpensive in construction, which can be readily applied to and installed 7 in existing radio sets without materially altering their construction and which is positive and eflicient in operation.

Other objects of the invention consist in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a front elevation of a radio receiving set equipped with my improvement and showing the control unit, which is located at a remote point from the set, in perspective. Figure 2 is a front face View of the mechanism disposed Within the set and operatively connected to the parts thereof, such as the tuning dial and volume controlgwhich are subject to control. Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section taken in the planev of line 3--3,.Figure 1. Figure 4 is a top plan View of the operative mechanism shown in Figure 2. Figure 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section taken on line 5-5, Figure 4. Figure 6 is a transverse section taken on line 66, Figure 4. Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuits between the radio set and the control board. Figure 8 is a diagrammatic viewof the magnetic clutch for controlling the tuning of the set. Figure 9 is a similar view of the solenoid for governing the volume control. Figure 10 is a transverse section on line lfll0, Figure 4. Figure 11 is. a fragmentary cross section taken on line lI--H, Figure 10.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 1

. set is preferably constructed as follows:

In its general organization, my improved remote. control apparatus comprises a motion transmitting mechanism disposed conveniently within the radio set and operatively connected to the customary adjusting elements of the set, such as the tuning dial and the volume control element, and a selective controlling device which may be disposed at a remote point from the radio set, either in the same room or from any other place or room where the radio set may be heard or wherein a loud speaker is located, and which automatically governs the selection of the station and the tone volume of the reception.

By way of example, I have shown my invention in connection with a cabinet type of radio receiving set If) having the usual manually-controlled switch knob II for governing the current supply to the set, the station selecting knob I? which controls the revolving tuning dial l3 having meter or kilocycle graduations thereon, and a volume control knob M.

The motion-transmitting mechanism which is housedwithin the radio cabinet for actuating the dial l3 and the volume control device of the The operative parts of this mechanism are mounted as a practically complete unit in a suitable frame [5 rising from a platform l6 and disposed at a convenient place within the cabinet, or connected direct to the radio chassis as desired. Attached to this frame is an electric induction motor I! whose shaft I8 has a worm l9 thereon meshing with a worm wheel 20 applied to a transverse driving shaft 2! journaled at its ends in appropriate bearings secured to the end walls of the frame. Disposed parallel to this driving shaft is a driven shaft 22 on which revolvable electromagnetic drums 23, 24 are loosely mounted having corresponding ring gears 25, 26 thereon. These drums are driven in opposite directions 40 about their supporting shaft, the drum 23 having its gears 25 in constant mesh with a pinion 21 fixed on the shaft 2i for revolving the same in one direction, while the drum 2a is driven in the reverse direction by a pinion 28 meshing with its gear and mounted on a counter shaft 29 driven from the shaft 2| by intermeshing gears 30 and a sprocket wheel 32 fixed on one end thereof and connected by a sprocket chain 33 with a similar sprocket wheel 3 applied to the spindle 35 of the station-selecting knob ii! of the radio set. This spindle has a gear or similar. device 35 thereon meshing with a gear 31 secured to the shaft 38 of the tuning dial I3. Thus as the drum-shaft is caused to turn in one direction or the other, the tuning dial is turned in a corresponding direction.

The control of the drum-shaft 22 to turn it in one direction or the other is preferably efiected thru the medium of a magnetic clutch, whereinradio receiving set, is preferably housed within the drums 23, 24 constitute the revolving elements of the clutch and a flexible steel'disk-orarmature 39 constitutes the movable or shiftable ele-- ment of the clutch. This disk is fixed. on theshaft 22 and is disposed centrally between the opposing edges of the electromagnetic drums, the disk being so constructed as to be capable of flexing axially and attracted toward and into positive gripping engagement with one or the other of the drums to accordingly govern the direction of movement of the drum-shaft and thence the tuning dial E3. The drums 23, 24 contain appropriate coils or windings 48, M, respectively, and are included in a control circuit, so that when the coil of the drum 23 is energized the clutch-disk39 is attracted to it and the drum-shaft is driven simultanously in the same direction. When the coil of the companion drum 24 is energized, the clutch-disk is attracted to it and the drum-shaft is accordingly driven in the reverse direction. By this construction and arrangement of parts, the tuning dial is automatically turned in-either direction just as though one were manipulating the control knob l2, the gear ratio of the transmitting mechanism being such that the dial is turned at a comparatively slow speed.

The mechanism for operating the volume control device of the set, which device maybe in the form of a potentiometer d2 including a revolving wiper or contact arm 18, is likewise. driven from the electric induction motor I! and to this end the driving gear 38 meshes with a gear 4 3 fixed on a longitudinally shiftable shaft disposed parallel to the drivin shaft 2! and surmounting the drums 23, 2d at one side thereof, asseenin Figures 4 and 5. Said shaft 45 is provided with spaced friction disks 46, ll or like drive elements,

one or the other of which is adapted to friction-.

ally engage a similar disk 58 fixed on a shaft, 4Q disposed at right angles to the shaft i5 and having a worm 5t thereon engaging a .worm wheel 5| fixed on an upright shaft 52 which'carries the volume control contact arm 43 at its upper end, as, shown in Figure 6. The shifting of, the friction disk shaft 45, to effect a rotation of the vol--v ume control arm in one direction or the other and thus govern the tone volume of the. reception, may be accomplished in any appropriate manner but preferably through the medium of a solenoid 53 having two coils or windings 54-, and whose movable iron core or plunger 5%: may be formed as an extension of the shaft 45, as seen in Figure 5.

The solenoid is included in a control circuit, so

" wires'li, 18 leading from such posts to the switch that when its coil 54 is energizedone of the drive, disks 46, 41 is brought from a normal neutral position into driving engagement with the disk 43 to actuate the volume control to increase the volume of the reception, while when the companion coil 55 is energized the corresponding disk is actuated to reverse the direction of motion of the parts and decrease the volume of the reception.

Inasmuch as the gears 30 and 44- must be in mesh at all times and the gear 44 moveslength wise with its shaft 45 relative to the companion gear 30 during the shifting movements of the shaft to govern the volume control device, these gears are of sufiicient width to remain in proper engagement.

If desired, the mechanism for operating the volume control may be substantially identical in construction with that employed for actuating the tuning dial.

The selective controlling mechanism, for governing the motion-transmitting mechanisms heretofore described at a point remote from the a, portable cabinet 51 and includes electrical devices for governing, at the will of the user, the adjustable devices of the set, as well as the motor !'l. The latter is controlled by a switch 58 which may be disposed centrally of the cabinet,

as seen in Figure 1, While the coils 40, 4| of the companion magnetic clutch elements 23, 24 for governing the turning movements of the tuning dial i3 are. controlled by corresponding switch,

buttons 59, EEJ-andthe solenoidv 53 for governingv the volume control 42 is controlled by switch buttons 6!, 62. Also mounted onthe control cabinet are indicators, 63, 64, the former for indicating the corresponding movements of the tuning dial it in the radio set and having like kilocycle graduations thereon, and beingso ccnnected with the transmitting mechanism as to be simultaneously movable with suchdial and register corresponding meter or kilocycle read-' ings, and the indicator 54 responding to and reg.- istering with the movements of the volume con.- trol 32 inthe set. Operatively connectedwith the clutch shaft 22 to turn therewith in. one

direction or the other is a shaft. having a.

gear wheel 66 thereon meshing with a pinion 61 on said shaft 22. Axially disposed about, the shaft 65 and fixed to a bracket 68 supported from the frame I5 is a rheostat or like controlling device 69 over which a wiper or contact arm- 69*- fixed on said shaft is adapted. to travel. This rheostat is electrically connected to the:dial.indicator B3 of the control cabinet to effect a. correspondingmovement of its pointer and register the companion readings of the tuning dial 13. ,In the same manner, the volume control 42,

which is actuated by the solenoid 53 and associated parts, is electrically connected to the volume indicator $4 of the control cabinet. i

The control circuits for the various elements.

just described are shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9, and are as follows:

The source of current supply for operating the motor I! and the circuit of the radio receiving set may be derived from a domestic volt line, the frame l5 having a socket 10 for receiving such a plugged connection and a socket H for connecting such line current to the set. The circuit of the motor I? for operating the motiontransmitting mechanism of the apparatus includes the wires 12, 13 leading from the socket I0 to corresponding terminal posts 14, 15 mounted on a panel 16 adjoining the frame I5, and. the

Also included in control board and connected by a wire 82 with the terminal wire 18 of the motor switch 56 and by a wire 83 with a terminal post 64 mountedon the panel 16 and connected by a wire 65 with the circuit including the radio control switch 9| When the latter is closed, the circuit is closed thru the lamp 82, indicating to the party manipulating the remote control board that theset has been switched on and is ready for reception upon the proper actuation of the tuning and volume control devices. r a a The control switch 8| is preferably mounted on the frame I'adiacent to the gear Wheel 66, which transmits motion from the clutch shaft 22 tothe revolving contact arm 69 of the rheostat 69 and accordingly governs the corresponding movement of the pointer on the tuning indicator 63 of the control cabinet. This switch is automatically shifted at predetermined points to its on and oh positions by a trip pin 86 applied to said gear which, the actuating lever 8'! of the switch being disposed in the path of travel of the trip pin, is shown in Figure 10.

The coils 40, 4! of the clutch drums 23, 24, which control the turning of the tuning dial l3 in one direction or the other, are included in a circuit including the switch buttons 59, 60 on the control cabinet. One terminal of each switch button is joined to a common feed wire 88 connected with a source of current supply 69, while the companion terminals are joined by wires 90, Si with corresponding binding posts 92, 93 on the panel 16, which in turn are connected by wires 94, 95 with the respective coils 40, 4!, the other ends of such coils being grounded. Interposed in these coil circuits and automatically actuated at a predetermined point during the revolution of the gear wheel 66 are limit switches 96, 91 which act to break such circuits and prevent the tuning dial of the radio set and its indicator dial 63 on the control cabinet rotating beyond the extreme readings of such parts. To this end, the limit switch 96 may be disposed in lateral alinement with the control switch BI and be actuated simultaneously therewith by the trip pin 86 on the gear wheel 66, the lever 81 of said switch 8i being connected by a tie bar 98 with the lever 99 of the limit switch for this purpose. Thus, when the tuning dial l3 of the set and the companion indicator pointer reach a'predetermined position at the left or high reading side of the dial 63, the pin 86 will trip both switches 8|, 96 to their off position and not only break the circuit of the radio set, but the circuit of the corresponding clutch coil 40. The other limit switch 91 functions in a similar manner and has its lever I00 disposed in the path of a trip pin likewise applied to the gear wheel 66, so that when the'tuning dial and its indicator pointer reach a predetermined position at the right or low reading side of the dial 63, this switch will be tripped to its off position and the corresponding clutch coil H deenergized and the clutch released, thereby automatically arresting the rotation of the affected parts. It will therefore be understood that when one of the limit switches 96, 9'! has been cut off to break the circuit it governs, the other one is on, so that when the corresponding switch button 59 or 69 is depressed or closed, its circuit includ ing the companion clutch coil will be closed and the tuning dial l3 associated parts can be accordingly actuated and the set be operative. However, when the limit switch 96 and the radio set controlling switch 8| are opened by reason of the tuning dial and the indicator 63 reaching the limit of their movement at the lower meter or high kilocycle side of the dial, that is to the left or in a counter-clockwise direc- 'tion, then the set is cut off as wellas the cirment of the tuning dial l3 and corresponding in-' dicator 63, but they also act to again close said switches at predetermined points so that the circuits including the control switch buttons 59 vrill be in readiness to govern the associated parts for tuning purposes. During the intermediate positions of the tuning dial and its indicator, the

- switches 8|, 96 and 91 are all closed and their circuits are accordingly made or broken to regulate the tuning by depressing one or the other of the control buttons 59, 60.

The circuit including the tuning rheostat 69 and the dial indicator 63 which is responsive I03 connecting the center tap or contact arm 69 of this rheostat with a binding post I04 on the panel 16 and thence by a wire i955 to one terminal of the dial indicator, the other terminal of the latter-being connected by a wire I09 to a variable resistance i99 said resistance is for the purpose of adjusting the pointer of the indicator 63; to'conform with the kilocycle gradua tions on the tuning dial l3, thence to a ground tap ID! on said panel. Thus, as the rheostat arm 69 is turned in one direction or the other in response to the tuning of the set from the control cabinet by the closing of the switch buttons 59, 69 which govern the clutch mechanism 23, 24, 39, the pointer on the dial indicator 63 is correspondingly moved to visually indicate to the operator the same kilocycle reading which ex ists on the tuning dial I3 within the set.

The coils 54, of the volume control solenoid 53, which governs the rotation of the contact arm 43 of the volume control 42 to increase or decrease the tone volume of the receiving set, are

included in the circuit of the switch buttons 6!, 62 on the control cabinet 57. One terminal'of each switch button is joined to the common feed late and control the volume of the reception.

The circuit including the volume control 42 and its companion dial indicator 64, which is responsive thereto, consists of a feed wire I I4 connected at one end to a source of current supply and its opposite end to the resistance coil, the other end of the latter being connected by a wire H5 to a ground tap I I6 on the panel'lB; a wire. I Hi connecting the center tap or contact arm of the.

volume control with a binding post H8. on said panel and thence by a wire H9 to one terminal of the dial indicator 64, the other terminal. of the.

latter being connected by a wire I20 with; the ground, tap H6. arm 43 is turned in one direction or the other in response to the motion transmitted to it through the volume control transmitting mechanism actuated bythe solenoid53, the pointer on the dial 64 is correspondingly moved to visually indicate to the operator the same volume setting as is registered in the set.

In the drawings, the various electrical connections between the control mechanism within the radio set and those within the control cabinet 51 are shown embodied ina, flexible cable l2! having suitable plugs I22 at its ends for coupling it to the respective, parts;

If desired, instead of employing the switch buttons 6|, 62 and associated partszior regulating the volume control, said volume control may, be mounted in control cabineti'l, operated. by actuating knob I23, as shown in Figure l, and electrically connected to the radio receiving set.

The operation of the remote control apparatus is as follows:

Assume that the adjustable or control parts of the radio have all been shut off, that is withthe switch 9! closed and the tuning and volume control knobs at their extreme left hand positions and that the pointers of the indicator dials B3, 64 are in like positions and that the, switch ,58 is off. Under these conditions the, magnetic clutch 23, 24, 39 of the driving mechanism for controlling the remote tuning. of the set is in neutral position and the solenoid 53 for regulating the volume contro-lis in a like, position, while the switches 8! and 96 are off and the switch 9'! is on. Also assume that the set, is properly connected with the source of current supply re quired and that the cable I22 of the control cabinet is plugged into the set.

In starting the apparatus, the switch, 58 is snapped on to operate the motor H, the mechanisms which it controls being in neutral with the drums 23, 24 of themagnetic clutch idly rotating in opposite directions and. the clutch-disk 39 disposed between them, while the friction disks 46, 41 governed by the volume controlsolenoid 53; also idly rotate and are disengaged from the driven disk 48. Next, the switch button 69 is depressed to close the circuit of the clutch-coil M, the limit switch 97 in said circuit having been previously closed, which attracts the clutch disk 39 to the revolving coil-drum 23, thereby transmitting motion to the shaft 22. and thence to the tuning dial l3 and rheostat-arm 69 the latter being connected to the indicator dial to register the position of the tuning dial and the parts moving in a clockwise direction. During the initial movement of thedrum-shaft 22, the trip pin 86 on the revolving gear 66 encounters the tie bar 98 of the joint switches 8 I, 96 and closes them, thereby turning the radio set on andv placing the circuit including the switch 96 in readiness to be closed whenever the companion switch button 59 on thecontrol cabinet isdepressed to thereby effect the rotation of the parts under control in the reverse or counter clockwise direction., The moment the switch 8| is automatically closed, the circuit of the lamp 82 is likewise closed and the same lighted, indicating to the operator that, the set. is on and ready to function. The

Thus, as the volume control operator continues to hold. the switch button Si in its depressed circuit-closing position, until the indicator 63. before him indicates the station desired to be heard, at which time such button is released, the corresponding clutch circuit is immediately opened and the tuning dial and its.

companion indicator is instantlystopped. In.

the event that they setting, of the tuning dial is beyond that desired, then the switch button 59 is depressed, which closes the circuit of, the companon clutch-coil 40 and rotates the control parts in the reverse direction, the button being released when the desired setting is reached,

The Volume control is effected by depressing.

one or the other of the switch buttons BI, 62,

which, as heretofore described, govern thecircuit.

of the solenoid 53 and control the shifting of the disks 46, 47 into and out of engagement wlth'the disk 48 which transmits motion to the arm 43 of the volume control 42, the closing of the switch button 6| resulting in an increase in tonervolume and the closing of the button 62 resulting in a decrease in tone volume and the, indication of such volume being recorded at theindicator 64 on the control cabinet 51.

If, during the tuning operation, the dial. l3 and corresponding indicator 63 travel beyond their.

extreme readings to the right or to the left, re-

spectively, the trip pin IOI will encounter the switch 91 and trip it to oil position whichwill release the clutch and instantly and automatically arrest further rotation. of those parts, or the trip pin 36 will encounter the switches 8|, 96 and trip them to off position to release the clutch and also cut ofi the current to the radio ,set as well as putting out the tell-tale lamp 82.

positely rotating drums disposed axially of the driven member to revolve independently thereof and having electro-magnets carried thereby, said drums being spaced apart axially, a magnetic clutching element common to said electro-magnets fixed on said driven member in the space between said drums for selective engagement with.

one or the other thereof, and a portable'control device including devices connected with the electro-magnets of said drums for actuating the clutching element to one or the other of its operative positions to govern the rotation of said adjustable element in one direction or the other.

2. A remote control apparatus for radio receiving sets having a part to be actuated comprising a driving means including oppositely ro-' ceiving sets having a part to be actuated, comprising a driving means including oppositely rotating electro-magnets disposed in axially spaced relation, means for rotating the same, a driven transmission means operatively connected to said actuatable part and including a shiftable member constituting an armature disposed axially between and common to said electro-magnets, electric circuits for the latter, a portable control device having switches included in the circuits of said electromagnets, and an indicator applied to said device and operatively connected to said driven transmission means for indicating the corresponding movements thereof.

4. A remote control apparatus for electrically operated instruments having a control switch and a part to be actuated, comprising a driving means including axially-alined oppositely rotating electro-magnets, a driven transmission means operatively connected to said actuatable part and including a shiitable member constituting an armature disposed between and common to said electro-Inagnets, means governed by said transmission means for automatically controlling the opening and closing of said control switch, electric circuits for the electro-magnets, and a control device having switches included in the circuits of said eletro-magnets, one of said switches being actuated by said control switch governing means for simultaneously opening or closing the same therewith.

5. A remote control apparatus for electrically operated instruments having a control switch and a part to be actuated, comprising a driving means including oppositely rotating electromagnets, a driven transmission means operatively connected to said actuatable part and including a shiftable member constituting an armature disposed axially between and common to said electro-magnets, means governed by said transmission means for automatically controlling the opening and closing of said control switch, electric circuits for the electro-magnets, a control device having switches included in the circuits of said electro-magnets for automatically breaking such circuits and limiting the movement in one direction of the part to be actuated, one of said switches being actuated by said control switch governing means for simultaneously opening or closing the same therewith, and means governed by said transmission means for automatically controlling the opening and closing of the other electro-magnet governing switch.

6. A remote control apparatus for radio receiving sets having a part to be actuated comprising a driving means including oppositely rotating electro-magnets, a driven transmission means operatively connected to said actuatable part and including a shit table member constituting an armature disposed axially between and common to said electro-magnets, electric circuits for the latter, switches included in said circuits, a member revolvable with said transmission means and having trip elements thereon engageable with said switches for automatically shifting them to their on and off positions at predetermined points in the rotation of said member, and a remote control device having manually-actuated switches included in the circuits of said electro-magnets for controlling said transmission means at will.

'7. A remote control apparatus for radio receiving sets having a part to be actuated, comprising a driving means including oppositely rotating electro-magnets, a driven transmission means operatively connected to said actuatable part and including a shiftable member constituting an armature disposed axially between and common to said electro-magnets, electric circuits for the latter,an electric control element actuated by and responsive to the movements of said transmission means, a remote control device having switches included in the circuits of said electro-magnets for governing the transmission means to actuate said part in one direction or the other, and an indicator applied to said device and operatively connected to said control element for indicating the corresponding movements of said transmission means and the part actuated thereby.

8. In a remote control apparatus for a radio receiving set having a movable element for tuning the set to desired Wave lengths, forward and reverse driving means including revolving axially-alined electro-magnets, a driven transmission means operatively connected to the tuning element and including a shiftable armature disposed axially between and common to said electro-magnets, electric circuits including the latter, a control switch for operating the radio set, means governed by said transmission means for opening and closing the control switch at predetermined points in its movement, a remote control device having switches included in the circuit of said electro-magnets, an indicator operatively connected to the transmission means of the tuning element for indicating its corresponding movements and wave settings, and a pilot lamp included in the circuit of said radio control switch.

9. A remote control apparatus for radio receiving sets having an adjustable element, comprising a drive shaft, a driven transmission means operatively connected with said adjustable element, a solenoid including two coils and a revolving plunger geared to said drive shaft, means for coupling said plunger w th said transmission means to rotate the same in one direction or the other, electric circuits including the solenoid-coils, and a remote control device for governing said coupling means consisting of switches included in the circuits of said solenoidcoils, whereby one or the other of the latter is energized to shift the solenoid plunger into driving engagement with said transmission means to operate the adjustable element in one direction or the other.

HENRY Y. HENNING. 

